STC Science Center Ground Breaking will be Sept. 5

By Jessica Newberry and Carol McLeod
Intern and Staff Writer

After two years of planning, the Jefferson County Health Science Center will soon become a reality.

As a joint effort between Sandersville Technical College and the Jefferson County commissioners, the center will house additional lab and classroom space for medical training.

“We already have a practical nursing program on the Jefferson County campus, so we will have more space for that,” said STC Jefferson County director Matt Hodges. “The center will also allow us to offer the medical assisting program in Louisville as well as a place for meetings and events.”

The center will house a nursing lab and adjoining classroom, two other classrooms and two faculty offices within approximately 3,900 square feet.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 11. a.m.

“We hope to officially open the building sometime next spring, possibly in April for the spring quarter,” Hodges said.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $651,280, including $540,280 for the building construction. Engineering costs are expected to run $30,000, with reimbursables to run between $5,000 and $7,000. Equipment and furnishings will cost $50,000.

A Community Development Block Grant will provide $500,000 towards the project, covering the majority of construction costs and architectural fees. The CSRA Regional Development Center will charge $24,000 to administer the grant.

Jefferson County will provide a $10,000 cash match as well as site work, including utilities to the site, building and storm water monitoring totaling $34,000.

Sandersville Technical College will supply office furniture and computer systems, an alarm system and medical equipment for approximately $50,000. The county is currently requesting federal funding to pay the remaining balance, but if federal aid is unavailable, the county and the school board will split the remaining costs.

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, county administrator Paul Bryan met with general contractor J.W. Spratlin and Ben Carter of Carter Watkins Associates Architects to sign contracts to begin work on the center. CSRA RDC’s Anne Floyd was also present to oversee the signing of the 210-day construction contract.

“This facility will enhance development in our area by constructing a well-trained workforce for our local medical providers,” Bryan said.

“This is a wonderful occasion for the people of Jefferson County and it shows that Jefferson County and Sandersville Technical College have the best in mind for the people of Jefferson County,” said Hodges. “And this facility will enable the nursing students to better prepare themselves for the work force in health care.”

Dr. Lloyd Horodan, the president of Sandersville Technical College, said the college is excited about working with long standing partners such as the county commission and the board of education.

“This will allow us to better serve them with allied health programs and other instructional services that we’ve not been able to provide before because of the limitations of space,” he said. “We’re looking forward to expanding those services and looking for every new opportunity to make sure the people of Jefferson County get the preparation they need for their future.”

(2007, August 29). The News & Farmer.